I'm going to be running the 2.3L with a GT35R and I need the best headgasket for the money. I want the HKS Headgasket, but it's $230. Any better options that isn't quite as expensive? Where can I get it?

Should I go with a multi-layer metal headgasket or a cometic?

I've had good luck with the Mitsu MLS head gasket, but have heard good things about the cometic as well.
Whatever you do, stay away from the copper head gaskets and any kind of copper spray for the MLS gaskets.

Originally posted by DSMxTSi
...stay away from the copper head gaskets and any kind of copper spray for the MLS gaskets.

I have a cometic MLS and I sprayed it down before I put it on. Sealed up fine. This has to be one of the most argued topics on tuners. To spray or not to spray.

There is a big article written on Tuners by Doug99RS, it's a pretty damn good write up. Doug is a friend of mine and he knows his stuff.

It is a highly debated topic. Some people get away with spraying the gasket, but I have experienced bad things with friends cars who have used both a copper gasket and/or spray along with the MLS with spray. I have read online somewhere about copper not mating well with the aluminum in our cylinder heads, be it either a gasket or in the form of a spray. I'll try to find that article, I believe it was written by a tech from an aftermarket gasket company.

What it really depends on is what the surfaces of the head and block are like. If you have them decked and are a mirror like finish, go with a metal HG. If there just normally done, just go with a mitsu multi layer HG.

Originally posted by eclipzGST
What it really depends on is what the surfaces of the head and block are like. If you have them decked and are a mirror like finish, go with a metal HG. If there just normally done, just go with a mitsu multi layer HG.

I agree 100% that it depends on how the mating surfaces are prepared. The Mitsu multi-layer is a steel gasket.
However, I have had 3 cars now with the MLS head gaskets, 2 4Gs and a 420A. None were decked except the block on my latest 4g rebuild and were all slapped on there "as-is" with no problems. I checked the straightness of each head when they were off each car with a straight edge and feeler gauges. One was even right at the limit and still got 20K plus miles on it. I wouldn't recommend doing it that way, but I'm just relating my experiences with 2 Mitsu MLS gaskets and the Chrysler MLS head gasket.
There are even some 4g63 cars out there running big boost with low times and still running the stock OE head gasket. I would still say the key lies in the preparation but I still don't trust the copper stuff.

I used the Mitsu MLS gasket without decking the head or the block. The block had 135k miles on it and the head was redone about 2 years ago when I put the gasket on.
I used copper spray and am pushing 28 psi on a T04E 60-trim and have yet to blow it after a summer of track runs.

When I build my block this summer Im using the same gasket but having the head and block decked and not using the copper spray.

Mitsu 4 layer here.

Cometic MLS. Very good stuff. My opinion would be not to spray. Whatever decision you make is yours.

In my experience I have had the best results in

1. stock replacement with copper spray
2. Mitsu MLS with copper spray when no resurfacing has been done
3. Mitsu MLS without copper spray, surfacing has been done
4. Cometic HP without copper spray RA40 finish or better

Not had good luck when spraying Cometic HP at all

Hope this helps

I have a Mitsu 4-layer with copper spray (not resurfaced). I'm going to get as much out of my Evo 16g as I can (hoping for high 11's), so we will see how this holds up.